Chick-Fil-A Opens On Sunday To Help Stranded Travelers

During a power outage at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, chicken chain Chick-fil-A stayed open on a Sunday to serve free meals to stranded travelers.

Chick-fil-A is known for being closed on Sundays, but made an exception after Atlanta's mayor, Kasim Reed, called to ask them for help, reports Business Insider. Hartsfield-Jackson is the world's busiest airport.

Company spokeswoman Amanda Hannah said that after Reed's call, the restaurant's employees "immediately mobilized" to make sandwiches for the stranded travelers.

ADVERTISEMENT

Thanks for watching!

"It has been a very difficult day for thousands of travelers," said Hannah. "And while Chick-fil-A is always closed on Sunday, our restaurants open occasionally to serve communities in need. We do not make a profit but do what we can to offer comfort to people experiencing hardship."

Over 5,000 meals were reportedly delivered to passengers who had been stranded by the hours-long power outage.

ADVERTISEMENT

Thanks for watching!

ADVERTISEMENT

Thanks for watching!

All outgoing flights were stopped during the outage, and arriving flights were held at their point of departure.

According to Georgia Power, the outage was caused by a fire in an underground electrical facility.

Emilia Duca, a Delta passenger, said that restaurants and stores at the airport were closed, and vending machines weren't working.

"A lot of people are arriving, and no one is going out," said Duca. "No one is saying anything official. We are stuck here. It's a nightmare."

Airport employees are reported to have distributed bottled water to travelers, and Dunkin' Donuts gave out donuts.

Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy was also seen at the airport passing out sandwiches with airport workers and city officials, Fox reports.

Chick-fil-A has previously explained that it is closed on Sundays because its founder, Truett Cathy, decided that "he and his employees could set aside one day to rest and worship if they so choose."

The chain has even announced that their location at the Atlanta Falcons' Mercedes-Benz Stadium would be closed on Sundays, the day when the Falcons play most games.

Reed thanked Chick-fil-A for their assistance during the power outage, along with travelers posting messages of gratitude on social media.

"I propose that Chick-Fil-A and Southwest team up and hold a conference to teach all other companies how to do customer service," wrote one user on Twitter. "They're the only ones who've figured it out."

"All you have to get Chick-fil-A on a Sunday is cut the power to the world's busiest airport," joked another user, according to Mashable.

The airport's power was restored on Dec. 18 around midnight, and vendors were reportedly able to reopen shortly thereafter.